Trouble Is...
Kenny Wayne Shepherd · 1997
56 min · 12 tracks · blues
Bluesy rock riffs intertwine with soulful melodies, capturing the essence of Southern grit and heartfelt storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Blue on Black — This track blends poignant lyrics with an emotive guitar solo, making it a signature song that highlights Shepherd's skillful musicianship.
-
→
Everything Is Broken — A powerful cover of Bob Dylan's work, this track showcases Shepherd’s ability to reinterpret classic songs while adding his distinctive bluesy flair.
-
→
(Long) Gone — With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, this track exemplifies the album's blend of rock energy and blues roots, appealing to a wide audience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends strong blues elements with rock, showcasing solid songwriting and production while maintaining a cohesive flow.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of bluesy guitar riffs that are prominent in nearly every track, often accompanied by soulful vocal lines.
- Several tracks, including 'Blue on Black,' utilize a call-and-response structure between the vocals and guitar, enhancing the emotional delivery.
- The pacing varies throughout, with mid-tempo tracks dominating the first half before transitioning to slower ballads in the latter part.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady progression towards resolution
- emotional depth in every track
- powerful guitar riffs throughout
- for reflective evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat party vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Trouble Is... was Kenny Wayne Shepherd's second studio album, following his successful debut, Ledbetter Heights. The album solidified Shepherd's reputation as a prominent figure in the blues-rock genre, showcasing his growth as a guitarist and songwriter.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joe Bonamassa· Gary Clark Jr.· Susan Tedeschi
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Slow Ride 3:49
- 2 True Lies 5:48
- 3 Blue on Black 5:30
- 4 Everything Is Broken 3:48
- 5 I Don’t Live Today 4:34
- 6 (Long) Gone 5:24
- 7 Somehow, Somewhere, Someway 5:34
- 8 I Found Love (When I Found You) 4:01
- 9 King’s Highway 4:17
- 10 Nothing to Do With Love 4:49
- 11 Chase the Rainbow 4:57
- 12 Trouble Is… 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.